Responsible Conduct of Research Training

Is Formal Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research Important? The scientific community and the community at large rightly expect adherence to exemplary standards of intellectual honesty in the formulation, conduct, and reporting of scientific research. In spite of teaching RCR at NIH for over 15 years, the incidence of reported cases of Research Misconduct has been increasing. This is not unique to NIH but seems to be a general tendency seen in academic settings across the country.

To improve communication of the importance of research ethics, training at NIH is moving away from a focus on classroom lectures discouraging research misconduct and questionable research practices, and moving toward framing ethics as the foundation for doing good science. In other words, we’re moving conversations about ethics and science from classrooms and into the research environment. We feel the example of our scientists should serve as a model for ethical science and research ethics as an inherent and critical aspect of the NIH culture and critical to training the next generation of independent researchers.

It is imperative to:

increase knowledge of, and sensitivity to, issues surrounding the responsible conduct of research

improve the ability to make ethical and legal choices in the face of conflicts involving scientific research

develop an appreciation for the range of accepted scientific practices for conducting research

learn about the regulations, policies, statutes, and guidelines that govern the conduct of PHS-funded research

adopt a life-long positive attitude involving research ethics and the responsible conduct of research.